302 cam help
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From: Imboden/Little Rock AR
302 cam help
I have a 72 ford f-100 with a 302 in it. After recent repairs I decided to just go ahead and change the cam and cam bearings. I am using an edelbrock performer 289 intake and edelbrock 600 cfm carb. I plan on using the performer cam also. Will this cam work with stock length pushrods, stock rockers, and stock thickness bearings? Also, how much does it usually cost to get heads rebuilt?
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From: Imboden/Little Rock AR
I have to pull the engine, that's one reason why i'm doing this. I have changed all of the other bearings, rod and main, and I think this could help my oil pressure out. You don't have to remove the crank to change the bearings do you? Would the Performer rpm or something a little hotter still work well with my intake and carb?
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From: Illinois
I would use a different cam if I were you, if your going to spend the money there are just better cams. Also when you change cams it is a good idea to change your valve springs. The springs are used to only going so high anymore lift might cause them to break. A set of Crane springs are only about sixty bucks. The price of a valve job is usually around 100 bucks. It just depends of what your doing to the heads.
Sanders
Sanders
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I don't know what the numbers of the Edelbrock cam are, but I am using the same intake and carb on my '65 Mustang's 289 and went with a cam from Competition Cams. It is the 268 High Energy and the lift is .456, the duration is 218 @ 50. It makes power up to 5500 or 6000 rpm and feels the strongest in the 3000-5000 range. I am using TRW pistons that give me approximately 10:1 with my stock heads. I am using the Hi-Po Mustang exhaust manifolds and 3.25 rear gears. In a 3200 lbs car it will run a 14.6 quarter mile at 93mph.
I am pleased with the performance of my motor with this cam. The idle is noticeable, but not radical by any means and it could be a daily driver with no problem. In fact the only modification that hurt gas mileage was the change from 2.80 to 3.25 gears. The other changes actually helped mileage as long as I stay out of the four barrell.
This is just my experience and I thought you might be interested since you have similiar set up. Good luck!
I am pleased with the performance of my motor with this cam. The idle is noticeable, but not radical by any means and it could be a daily driver with no problem. In fact the only modification that hurt gas mileage was the change from 2.80 to 3.25 gears. The other changes actually helped mileage as long as I stay out of the four barrell.
This is just my experience and I thought you might be interested since you have similiar set up. Good luck!
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From: Imboden/Little Rock AR
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What's wrong with the edelbrock cam? I used the very same cam for a while in my old 79 and it was a great cam for what he described. Smooth idle, and good power from idle to around 5k. Only reason I switched was for a bigger (much bigger) cam b/c I was drag racing and got a stall conv. to make up for the low end loss.
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
You don't have to pull the crank to get at the cam bearings, but it takes special tools to get them in and out. I always have this done at a machine shop, since I don't have the proper tools. I've used that Edelbrock cam, and it works ok if you want better performance combined with good low end torque and gas mileage. That cam is designed to match your intake, and a 500 or 600 cfm 4 barrel carb (I prefer 600cfm, but this is arguable). Headers also work well with that combo. Do change your valve springs to match the cam. Hopefully you're using a good double roller timing set. If you get too radical with your cam, then you would need to get screw in studs and pushrod guide plates. You won't have to with the Edel cam you first looked at. Also, a hotter cam would not match the rpm potential of that intake. All your speed parts have to match and work together as a package, or else you won't be happy with the results. As far as installation of the cam, it would be best to degree it to figure out which way to install it (straight up, or whatever).
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From: Imboden/Little Rock AR
Between the two would you recommend the Edelbrock Performer cam or the comp cams 268H(is this one too radical not to put on screw in studs and pushrod guide plates?)?
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
I just checked the 268H, and it would be fine without guide plates. It actually has less lift then the Edelbrock cam. I prefer the Edelbrock specs though, because the lift is different on the exhaust lobes then the intake lobes. The Comp cam has the same lift on both. Small block Fords with stock or near stock heads have weak exhaust ports. Having more lift on the exhaust side helps even things out. I'm curious as to why others think the Comp cam is better, when it has less lift on the exhaust side?
Last edited by stevef100s; Mar 21, 2005 at 09:29 PM.
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I did not use screw in studs or guideplates with my 268H. My heads are totally stock and have had no problems in approximately 8,000 miles. I have no experience with the Edelbrock cam so I can't give an opinion on which is best. The dual pattern on the Edelbrock sounds like a good idea. My brother tried a dual pattern from Comp in a similiar motor. I think it was the 265 Dual Energy and he lost some low end. It ran good from 4000 rpm. The Edlelbrock cam is a lot milder, you shouldn'n have low end problems. Anything to help out the exhaust on a SBF can't hurt.
It is true you will get more exhaust lift with the Edelbrock, but you will get slightly less lift on the intake side as compared to the 268H. In a mild engine like this I doubt their would be a big difference performance wise with either cam. Either should suit your purpose well. As was mentioned earlier, I am sure Edelbrock knows what works best with their intake and carb. Make sure you have a good dual exhaust.
It is true you will get more exhaust lift with the Edelbrock, but you will get slightly less lift on the intake side as compared to the 268H. In a mild engine like this I doubt their would be a big difference performance wise with either cam. Either should suit your purpose well. As was mentioned earlier, I am sure Edelbrock knows what works best with their intake and carb. Make sure you have a good dual exhaust.